Automatic liquid dispensing fountain



M. MAZZA AUTOMATIC LIQUID DISPENSING FOUNTAIN May 21, 1940.

NOBILE Filed April 13, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Mfr/Mil /I/AZZA/VO/E gdwwm ATTORNEY.

May 2l, 1940.l

M. MAzzANoBlLE f 2,201,545 AUTOMATIC LIQUID DISPENSING FOUNTAIN Filed April 15. 19:59 s sheets-sheet 2 f2 #y .4' u "5 47 1 ,I I A\ v\ A\ i i2 la ZT @4l INVENTOR M/c/#fz MAzzAA/o/f ATTORNEY.

May 2l, 1940. M. MAzzANoBxLE v AUTOMATIC LIQUID DISPENSING FOUNTAIN Filed April 13, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 lllllllnllnnllll Y ATTORNEY.

Patented May 21, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE AUTOMATIC LIQUID DISPENSING FOUNTAIN Michael Mazzanobile, New York,N. Y.'

Application April 13, 1939, Serial No. 267,565

Claims.

pensers, and its main object is the provision of l a plurality o-f automatically operated dispensers of a measured quantity of syrup and a measured quantity of soda water in one or more glasses at .setting in operation each of the plurality of dispensers under which a glass is placed.

The above and other objects will become apparent in the description below, in which characters of reference refer to like named parts in the accompanying drawings.

Referring briefly to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a front elevational view, with parts broken away and partly in section, of the device.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1, with, however, the lower portions of the liquid and soda water dispensers, `shown at the top of the iigure,'rotated at an kangle of 90 degrees, in order to illustrate the si-v multaneous actuation of both. This figure also shows a wiring diagram.

` Figure l is a cross-sectional View taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken'on the line 5 5 of Figure 1.I

Figure 6 is `a fragmentary cross-sectional vie taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig'- ure 3, showing the electric circuit closer in inactive position. I

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on a vertical plane through the axes of the syrup and soda `water dispensers of Figure 1, with parts broken away and parts omitted, and serves to illustrate one type of valve which may be used in the device.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral lil represents a frame divided by a table or counter platform i l and a ceiling I2 into three compartments, one above the other. The middle compartment I3 is open on all sides, the upper compartment is closed and has a removable cover l5, and the lower compartment I6 which contains the actuating mechanism, may be open or closed.

In the compartment I4 a plurality of syrup This invention relates to fountainl liquid dis--l containers Il, each having its own removable cover I8, are mounted in spaced relationship, the number of such vcontainers being equal to the number of vdispensers as will become apparent f hereinafter, one such containerk being mounted above each dispenser. Each container Il is supported upon the end of a pipe I9 which serves as an outlet forthe container and which leads down through a petcock having a nut 2l at its lower end. l

vA Vtank 22 adapted to hold carbonated water, rests o'n the floor of the compartment and is provided, adjacent each container l1, with an outlet pipe 23, which extends downward through the partition l2 and is also provided with a petf,

cock 24 at the lower end of which is a nut 25.

The dispensing apparatus described in the abovementioned copending application is attached to the nuts 2l and 25, that is, the syrup dispenser 26 has its inlet 2l threaded into the nut 2l and the soda water dispenser 28 has its inlet 29 threaded into the nut 425. The operation of the dispensers2t` and 2l to cause a measured quantity of syrup and soda water, respectively, to flow into a glass when the rim of the latter is pressed upward against the vertically slidable' horizontal beam 30, through the outlets 3l and 32, respec`` tively, is illustrated in Figure 8. In this illustration both the syrup and the soda water Valves are shownclosed, which would be the condition in Figure 1. The tube 2'! enters into the housing through the tube t6 which threadably engages the tube-2l and projects'downward beyond' the same. The tube B isthreadably engaged-inv a threaded opening through the top of the housing 26. A similar tube 61 is threadably engaged in an opening through the bottom of the housing. A hollow stem 68, having the channel 59 therethrough, extends slidably through the tube El and has a horizontal head 19 capping its upper end. However, a horizontal port 'H extendsv all the way through the stem 68 directly beneath the head 10. It is apparent that, upon raising the stem 6s by means of the beaml30,as previously described, the port 'Il will rise clear of the tube 6'! and thus permit ow of syrup from the housing 2li into the channel 69 and out through the bottom of the latter.

Asi-milar valve is provided in the soda hous- ,l

described, passes through the stem 12 just below the head 13. When the stem 13 is raised, simultaneously with the stem 58, by the beam 3U, the port 15 rises clear of the shoulder 14 so that soda water is permitted to escape from the housing 28 through the port 'l5 into the channel 13 and out at the lower end of the latter.

The threaded tubes 66 and B1, of the syrup container 25,'are not essential to the operation of the device, and they are provided for the purpose of controlling or varying the maximum degree of opening of the port 'H so that the amount of syrup permitted to iiow from the housing during a single rotation of the cam 58, may be varied,

" and this control is fully set forth in my aboveidentiiied prior patent. The valves are shown in Figure 8 for the purpose of illustration only, and it is not desired to limit the device to the use of such valves, as any other suitable valves may be used which attain the same ends. The nipples 29a and 28a serve as upper limit stops to the movement of the member 3U, in which position both valves of the dispensers 26 and 28 are open, and the enlarged outer flanges of the outlets 3| and 32 serve as lower limit stops for the same, in which latter position both of said valves are closed. The tank 22 receives its supply through a pipe 33 from a portable cartridge, not shown. l

In order to obtain quicker action in the discharge from the syrup dispenser of the measured amount of syrup, an auxiliary stand pipe or tube 34 is connected to an opening in the cap 35 of the syrup dispenser 26, which leads upward through the partition l2 and into `the syrup container Il', having its upper open end above the level of syrup within the container. A ange 36 surrounds the upper extremity of the tube 34. Surrounding the tube 34 is a second tube 31 diametrically spaced apart from the tube 34 and extending from approximately the same upper level down through to the bottom of the partition l2. A third tube 38 surrounds the tube 31 and extends from the same upper level as the tube 31 down through the iloor of the container l1, also concentrically spaced apart from the tube 31. Thus, there is a clearance space between the tube 35i and the tube 31, and another space between the tube 31 and the tube 38.

For each dispensing unit an opening-is made through the table Il Vin which an externally threaded sleeve 39 is locked by a knurled ring 4D. An internally threaded cylindrical housing 4l is slidably mounted in the sleeve 39, and threaded thereinto from the bottom is a shank 42 having a roller 43 secured in the forked end 44 thereof. The upper end of the housing 4| is widened to form a cylindrical cup 45, open at the top. A channel 46 is out through the shank 42 from the cup 45 downwardfand outward through the side of the shank near the fork 4-4. The upper portion of the channel 46 is widened and threaded, and therein an externally threaded sleeve 41 is screwed. The sleeve 41 has a ange 48 rigid at f its upper end. On the flange 48 a common household male plug, or any equivalent structure, 49, is secured in any desired manner, with the contact prongs 59 extending upward. The lead wires 5! from the plug pass down through and out from the channel 46.

A cylindrical cap 52 is slidably mounted on the cup 45, and against its roof, but insulated therefrom, a metallic contact disc 53 is secured, whose function it is to bridge the prongs in order to close a circuit therethrough. A coiled spring 54, resting on the iloor of the cup 45, normally urges the cap 52 upward to the position shown in Figure 7. A lip 55 is provided on one side of the upper edge of the cap 52 to facilitate positioning of a glass thereon.

Underneath the table Il, in the compartment I6, a horizontal shaft is rotatably supported and connected through reduction gears with an electric motor 51. Rigid on the shaft 56 in spacedapart relationship are a number of cams 58, one such cam being provided under each roller 43. The periphery of the cam 58 is circular throughout nearly its entirety, and is provided over a short length with a cut-out 59 which rises gradually toward one end in a curve El which blends with the circular periphery, and which at its other end S0 rises steeply and practically radially. The cut-outs 59 of all of the cams 58 are in alignment.

The wiring diagram forming part of Figure 3, shows the plug leads 5l connected with the motor 51 and a supply switch 52, in simple series circuit.

The operation of the device is as follows. In the inactive position all the rollers 43 rest in their respective cut-outs 59. When it is desired to ll a glass 53 with its proper amount and mixture of syrup and soda water, the glass is set on the cap 52 and pressed downward to cause the disc 53 to touch the prongs 50 against the resistance of the spring 54, and that position is maintained for a very brief interval. As soon as the circuit through the motor is thus closed, it rotates the cams 58 in a clockwise direction (Figures 2 and 3). The rollers 43 immediatelybegin to ride up the oors 6I of the cut-outs, carrying with them the Shanks 42 and all the parts supported thereon, and pressing the rim of the glass against the beam 38 and keeping the spring 54 depressed to maintain the contact of the disc 53 with the prongs 50. The brief interval abovementioned is necessary in order to maintain the contact of the disc 53 with the prongs until the roller 43 has ridden upon the circular periphery of the cam, after which time the contact between these parts is maintained. The cams 58 are of such size that, during a single rotation thereof, the proper quantities of syrup and soda water will have flowed into the glass to ll the latter to the proper level. Then, at the end of the cycle, when the steep end 60 of the cut-out 59 reaches the roller 43, the latter will drop down almost instantaneously, thus releasing the pressure of theglass against the beam 38 and also opening the contact between the disc 53 and the prongs 59, so that the motor and the cams come to a stop in the original inactive position. If any of the dispensers are not to be used, the mere fact that no glass is placed on their caps 52 keeps them from operating, as is apparent. An overflow pipe 64 extends downward from the compartment i4 through the table II, and at the upper surface of the latter an opening G5 is made into the latter to carry off also any spilled liquid from the table. rIhe compartment I4 is provided with chipped ice to keep both the tank 22 and the syrup chilled.

It is to be noted that any individual dispenser may herein still be operated by hand by simply holding the glass up against the beam 39.

Obviously, modifications in form and structure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. In combination with a liquid dispenser hav- Cil ing a horizontal beam and adapted to`be actuated by raising said beam, a vertically slidable member mounted under said beam, said member having a cap resiliently supported on its upper end, said cap being adapted to have a glass set thereon with the rim of the glass separated a short distance from said beam, means for raising said member and said cap and consequently simultaneously lifting said glass against said beam upon momentary depressing of said glass against. said resiliently supported cap and .for maintaining said member, said cap and said glass in said raised position against said beam for an interval and for releasing said member, said cap and said glass tothe original position at the end of said interval, said dispenser upon the said raising of said glass against said beam being adapted to release during said interval a measured quantity of liquid into said glass.

2. In combination with a liquid dispenser having a horizontal beam vertically movable between a lower and an upper limit stop, a member vertically slidably mounted under said beam at a distance therefrom, said member having a cap slidably mounted thereon, resilient means normally urging said cap upward, a switch comprising a `contact on said member and a movable contact on said cap, resilient means normally urging said contacts apart, said cap being adapted to be depressed against said resilient means to bring said contacts together, a cam having a circular periphery provided with a cut-out therein mounted under said member, said member resting on said cam with the lower end of said member registering in said cut-out when said member is in inactive position, an electric movtor to rotate said cam and lift the lower end of said member upward out of said cut-out onto said circular periphery of said cam and simultaneously lifting said glass against said. beam, and moving said beam against said upper limit stop, said lower end of said member upon completion of one revolution of said cam again` dropping into said cut-out and releasing said glass from said lever, said resilient means simultaneously forcing said contacts apart and opening said circuit.

3. In combination with a liquid dispenser having a horizontal beam vertically movable between a lower and an upper limit stop, a member vertically slidably mounted under said beam at a.

distance therefrom, said member having a cap slidably mounted thereon, resilient means normally urging said cap upward, a switch comprisinga contact on said member and a movable contact on said cap, resilient means normally urging said contacts apart, said cap being adapted to be depressed against said resilient means to bring said contacts together, a cam having a circular periphery provided with a cut-out therein mounted under said member, said member resting on said cam with thelower end of said member registering in said cut-out when said memberis in inactive position, an electric motor andv a source of electric supply, said switch, said motor and said supply source being in electrical circuit, said cam being geared to said motor, said cap being adapted to have a glass placed thereon, said circuit when closed by bringing said contacts together causing said motor to rotate said cam and lift the lower .end of'said member upward out of said cut-out onto said circular periphery of said cam and simultaneously lifting said glass against said beam, and moving said beam against said upper limit stop, said lower end of said member upon completion of one revolution of said cam again dropping into said cutout and releasing said glass from said beam, said resilient means simultaneously forcing said contacts apart and opening said circuit, said contacts comprising a disc on the underside of said cap and a prong in the upper end of said member.

4. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein there are a plurality of said dispensers and a similar number of said members and said cams, all of said cams having their cut-outs in alignment and being geared to said motor, so that all of said dispensers are actuated simultaneously.

5. In combination with a liquid dispenser having a horizontal beam vertically movable between a lower and an upper limit stop, a member vertically slidably mounted under said beam at al distance therefrom, said member having a cap slidably mounted thereon, resilient means normally urging said cap upward, a switch comprising a contact on `said member and a movable contact lon said cap, resilient means normally to bring said contacts together, a cam, having a circular periphery provided with a cut-out therein mounted under said member, said member resting onsaid cam with the lower end of said lmember registeringy in said cut-out when said member is in inactive position, an electric motor and a source of electric supply, said switch,

said motor and said supply source being in electrical circuit, said cam being geared to said motor, said cap being adapted to have a glass placed thereon, said circuit when closed by bringing said contacts together causing said motor to rotate said cam and lift the lower end of said member upward out of said cut-out onto said circular .beam against said upper limit stop, said lower end of said member upon completion of lone revo- Y f tacts apart and opening said circuit, the upper end of said member having a cup formed therein, said resilient means comprising a coiled spring resting on the floor of rsaid cup and pressing against the roof of said cap.

MICHAEL MAZZANOBILE. l 

